Jalapeño Peppers Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in the U.S.

Federal officials have traced a multistate salmonella outbreak to jalapeño peppers sourced from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. The outbreak has affected at least 345 individuals across 27 states, with the highest number of cases reported in Minnesota and Colorado. No fatalities have been reported, but 36 individuals have been hospitalized.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Wednesday that the peppers were distributed in the U.S. by Coast Citrus Distributors. The company has initiated a recall and is notifying customers, including major Mexican food restaurant chains. Coast Citrus Distributors has not responded to requests for comment as of Thursday.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 177 out of 191 interviewed individuals ate at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, between June 14 and July 14. Chipotle has removed jalapeños from certain locations, and Qdoba has proactively eliminated them from all restaurants.

“Given their actions to remove product from their stores, neither of these establishments are considered a current ongoing risk to consumers in this outbreak,” said the CDC in a statement.

Salad chain Sweetgreen also removed jalapeños from its menu, impacting two of its 15 dressings. The move comes as the chain faced declining sales in July due to concerns over a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, despite not using iceberg lettuce themselves.

The FDA is investigating whether the affected jalapeños reached grocery stores and may provide further updates on its recall webpage. Meanwhile, Mexican health officials have launched an investigation and inspected a packing facility in Nuevo Leon.

Salmonella bacteria annually cause 1.35 million infections in the United States, linked to various sources including cucumbers, eggs, and unpasteurized milk. Symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps appear within hours or days of exposure, lasting four to seven days. While most individuals recover without treatment, the CDC notes that young children, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe illness.

Chipotle’s shares, based in Newport Beach, California, fell nearly 10% on Tuesday. Sweetgreen’s shares also dropped 14% in after-hours trading on Thursday.

This report includes contributions from Associated Press reporter Fabiola Sanchez in Mexico City. The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP holds full responsibility for reported content.